Spring is here and the change of season is a perfect time for a bit of a clear out.
It's a good time to switch up some of your skincare products in favour of lighter textures and also deep clean your makeup bag.
Disinfect your makeup bag
It's easy for lids to come loose or spillages to occur so spring is a good time to turn your bag inside out and wash with soap and water or if it's machine washable, pop it in on a quick cycle.
Out with the old, in with the new
Don't forget that makeup goes off so if you've had a product for more than a year it's probably time to throw it away. Liquid products tend to go off quicker than powders so check expiry or use by dates and throw away anything that's out of date. The same goes for products containing SPF, if the expiry date has passed then you can no longer rely on it to protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays.
Wash your makeup brushes
We paint, contour, and highlight our faces with makeup brushes every day, but when was the last time you washed your makeup brushes? Did you know that dirty makeup brushes and tools can cause congestion, breakouts and skin irritation? Layers of oil from your skin, together with makeup and dead skin cells make brushes a breeding ground for bacteria.
Bacteria and fungi prefer wet conditions so brushes used for foundation and concealer should be washed a minimum of once a week to keep them clean and prevent product build-up. Brushes you use around the eyes and for dry powder should be cleaned twice a month.
Brushes are best stored in a cool, dry place, preferably in their own bag. Avoid warm, damp bathrooms where bacteria is more likely to grow.
Cleaning brushes is simple, all you need is warm water and a gentle anti-bacterial soap. Simply wet your brushes, squeeze a little soap into the palm of your hand, and swirl the brush around, rinsing as you go, massaging it into the base of the brush hairs. You will be amazed at the amount of grime that will get rinsed down the sink. Leave them to dry by laying them flat with the bristles hanging off the the edge of a counter.
Don't forget your makeup sponges! Microbial-resistant sponges like beauty blenders should be cleaned with soap and water once a week and replaced every three to four months.
Phase in natural formulas
There are now many natural alternatives in both skincare and makeup products. Not only are they better for the environment, they are better for your skin. Natural formulations tend to act like skincare and makeup in one, providing anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory and moisturising properties, as well as colour. Plus there's no animal testing with natural formulations so you can be sure the products are cruelty-free.
Exfoliate
This is key all-year round but especially important when your skin is extra dry after the winter months. Slough off dead skin and unblock pores with a gentle exfoliator, such as our Body Scrub or try daily dry brushing, see here for more details.
Use lighter formulations
As the weather starts to get warmer, it's worth swapping your moisturiser for something a little lighter using water-based or hyaluronic-acid based formulas. The same goes for makeup, a tinted moisturiser is a perfect substitute for a heavy foundation.
Increase your SPF
Whilst SPF 30 is fine for winter, it's important to increase to at least SPF 50 for spring/summer and to wear a separate standalone sunscreen, don't just rely on the SPF that may be contained in your moisturiser.
Tweaking your routine means your skin is ready for the new season!